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«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «POLITOLOGIYA. RELIGIOVEDENIE»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «POLITICAL SCIENCE AND RELIGION STUDIES»
ISSN 2073-3380 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Political Science and Religion Studies». 2023. Vol 46

The Hindu Nationalist Organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: History and Current State

Author(s)
S. A. Vasilev
Abstract
This article examines the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), its history and current state. The relations of the RSS with Sangh Parivar are determined. The main factors of organizational cohesion between all branches of the RSS are identified. The transformation of the ideological and structural components of the Hindu nationalist organization is analyzed. According to the results of the study, the following conclusions are made. Firstly, the cohesion within the Sangh Parivar is due to the sangatan mantri (organizational secretary) system practiced in all branches, as well as the autonomy provided to subsidiaries. Secondly, the rapid comprehensive development of India has made Indian society more complex, which has affected the RSS, both the membership of the organization and the ideological orientation. The evolution of the RSS is manifested in its desire to go ideologically beyond the Hindi-Hindu culture of Northern India. These changes demonstrate the willingness of the organization to change ideologically and organizationally, in order to gain mass support in a changing India.
About the Authors
Vasilev Stanislav Alekseevich, Postgraduate, Sector of the History of Political Philosophy, Institute of Philosophy RAS, 12-1, Goncharnaya st., Moscow, 109240, Russian Federation, e-mail: stanisaciano97@gmail.com
For citation
Vasilev S.A. The Hindu Nationalist Organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: History and Current State. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 2023, vol. 46, pp. 80-88. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2023.46.80 (in Russian)
Keywords
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Party, Sangh Parivar, Hindutva, Hindu nationalism.
UDC
329.7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2023.46.80
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